Our festivals:
Winter 2012
Spring 2013

Sunday

The following events are taking place on Sunday 25 November 2012:

  • Gillian Beer

    Time: 10:00

    The brilliance of Lewis Carroll is never in doubt and festival patron Gillian Beer will talk about him, the wonderful range of his poetry and her experiences in editing the first collected and annotated edition of Carroll’s brilliant and witty poems. 

  • Tom Watson & Martin Hickman

    Time: 10:00

    How did Murdoch News Corporation use its power to bully, intimidate and cover up? Will its disgrace change the way we look at our politicians, our police service and our press?

  • Is Banking Fit for Purpose?

    Time: 10:00

    Five years after the run on Northern Rock alerted the British public to a looming banking crisis, are we any closer to having a financial services industry that we can trust?

  • Simon Garfield

    Time: 11:30

    On the Map weaves compelling narratives around the mystery of maps. Simon Garfield's illustrated talk explains where we’ve been, how we got there, and where we’re going.

  • Tom Holland & Maajid Nawaz

    Time: 11:30

    In the Shadow of the Sword tells the story of how the ancient world came to an end and how a new power, Islam, arose. Holland and Nawaz bring the debate on Islam’s origins to public view for the first time.

  • Ali Smith

    Time: 11:30

    A chance to hear Ali Smith at her inventive and playful best talking about her latest offering Artful.

  • Mark Henderson

    Time: 13:00

    Mark Henderson builds a powerful case that science should be much more central to government and the wider national conversation.

  • Keir Starmer & Philippe Sands

    Time: 13:00

    A fascinating conversation with the Director of Public Prosecutions at a time of unprecedented public interest in the law.

  • Michael Jacobs

    Time: 13:00

    In this beautifully illustrated talk Jacobs recounts the gripping story of his journey along the River Magdalena into the central regions of Columbia.

  • Christopher Clark

    Time: 14:30

    Christopher Clark gives us a fresh perspective on the causes of the First World War and also a lens through which to view the world today.

  • Tony & Melissa Benn

    Time: 14:30

    The best eavesdropping opportunity in town. Take a seat and savour this gem of a conversation: a political dialogue between father and daughter.

  • Rose Tremain

    Time: 16:00

    Merivel, arguably Tremain’s greatest creation, is an Everyman: soulful, funny, outrageous and achingly sad.  Come and hear her talk about her reasons for this welcome resurrection.

  • Robert Skidelsky

    Time: 16:00

    Robert Skidelsky argues that economics is a moral undertaking rather than exact science and trace the concept of the good life from Aristotle to the present, showing how far modern life, with greedy bankers and obscene bonuses, has strayed from this ideal.

  • Ian Cobain & Philippe Sands

    Time: 17:30

    Cruel Britannia reveals the hidden story of Britain’s secretive and shameful record of torture for the very first time. 

  • Kate Summerscale

    Time: 17:30

    Kate Summerscale shares the true story of an intimate diary and a scandalous trial that rocked Victorian England.

  • Salley Vickers

    Time: 19:00

    Set in a medieval cathedral, The Cleaner of Chatres speaks of the power of love and mercy to transform the tragedies of the past.  

  • Andrew Marr

    Time: 19:00

    Broadcaster, political journalist and author, Andrew Marr is here to share his fresh approach to world history. 

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